Thursday, June 10, 2010

Weekend What's What 6/10-6/12

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Despite the blah-worthy weekend forecast (T-storms, T-storms and more T-storms), we can't help but feel a bit frisky due to the positively "electric" lineup of events in store. Just thinking about all the fantastic fashion shows, rockin' music events and eye-poppin' art exhibits gets us all twitterpated. So, put your best kissy-face on and brave the storms. We promise it'll be well-worth it. Don't forget the Binaca!

xo-l'étoile

THURSDAY JUNE 10TH

Vita.mn Poolside Fashion Show

@ Calhoun Beach Club2925 Dean ParkwayMinneapolis

5:30pm VIP Reception / 7pm General Doors / $15 general, $50 VIP

Vita.mn is at it again! For the fourth year running, Vita.mn is bringing you another night of bikinis, beachwear and Bacardi. At this edition of the Poolside Fashion Show, the Minneapolis mag has teamed up with local boutiques, malls and clothiers to supply you with your fill of evening gowns, swimwear and cute casual looks of this summer. Even better? This year brings a bigger runway, awesome music (due to the disco dudes of Street Sounds) and of course, hotter than hot people. Lucky VIPs will get access to a totally exclusive reception that includes complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

They’re fiery, they’re sassy, and by golly, they’re back in action. Flame-haired DJ sisters Molly “Tenderoni” Roberts and Josie “Babycakes” Roberts, better known as Tendercakes, celebrate their return with a night of their famed hip-hop, funk, disco, and otherwise utterly danceable beats at Clubhouse Jager. The club’s resident “Bitchelor” will be mixing extra-cheap drink specials, and the show also marks the inaugural edition of Jager’s new ladies night, Pussy Control. Peace and be wild, as it were – here’s hoping the darling duo doesn’t have another too-long hiatus up their tattooed sleeves.

Never underestimate the power of quiet rock – especially if it's local! Tonight, join dreamy, low-key indie pop outfit, History Books and conceptual folk-poppers, We Are The Willows for an evening of hushed musical perfection and tone humble jams. Get ready for reflective lyrics and fragile but catchy melodies. We hear live gentle rock goes best paired with truffled kettle corn or a refreshing glass of cheap wine – fancy dining staples of the Red Stag.

If patience is a virtue, then Willard Wigan must be the patron saint: the British artist is best known for his reproduction of Michelangelo’s David, which he carved out of a single grain of sand. But he didn’t stop there. From animals to storybook characters to the architectural landmarks to the Obama family, Wigan has created a slew of microscopic sculptures, several of which are no larger than a human blood cell, and all of which could sit in the eye of a needle or on the head of a pin. To carve these small wonders, Wigan uses a mixture of surgical blades and hand-made tools, which are custom made from an also microscopic sliver of tungsten. His materials of choice include dust fibres, nylon, gold, and cobwebs, which he paints with the hair of a dead housefly. And if that weren’t bizarre enough, Wigan creates all of his sculptures from a meditative state, for the pulse of his finger would be the end of that diminutive dragon or miniscule Mad Hatter, so to speak. Each sculpture takes somewhere around eight weeks to create, but at an extra-big price tag of $150,000, we’d say it’s worth the sacrifice. Yeah, our jaws are on the floor, too.

Join local skate aficionados at Familia for another installment of Day of Familia, a day long skate-focused event of eye-popping tricks, mad deck skills, skate gear deals and music! The fest kicks off with an epic skate jam at Oakdale Skatepark to shoot a brand new demo featuring the dudes from Elwood – Kenny Anderson, Dan Drehobl, Guru Kelsa, Silas Baxter Neal, Dan Plunkett and Daniel Espinoza. Cheer the skaters on while you witness total skatepark annihilation. Can't get to Oakdale? No biggie. Familia's Uptown shop is offering a special sale on everything your thrashin' heart desires all day long! And for a final wrap up, head over to the Red Stag for a late night 21+ fiesta after 10pm with tunes from DJ Kenny Kingston and awesome drink specials!

ART BONUS: Pop back into Familia on Saturday for the premiere of artist James Widder's latest collection of drawings, Unleash the Beast. 8pm. Sponsored by PBR.

Suckas, stay away -- this weekend is all about Sucka Free Art! The Carleton Artist Lofts are hosting another must-see sale, bringing together over 15 local art faves to flaunt and sell their masterpieces! That’s right, we’re talkin’ photos, stationary, comics, vintage clothing and tons more! This big sale will feature art from Todd Townley, Pixie Girl Studios, Karen O, Emma Brown Trithart and more. Plus, with the cutesy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, this is a weekend activity you won’t want to miss! (But be sure to bring cash or a checkbook-- most artists only accept the two as a form of payment.)

Join FIVETWOSIX this Friday for a super sexy photo sesh! That's right, the pretty people at the hip St. Paul salon/gallery are starting the summer off right with lingerie, photographers, motorcycles and more. Fashion designer Brittany Hughes will heating up the night with her unique lingerie designs, flaunted over the custom made motorbikes by Atom Pechman and Tristan Thiel. Plus, there will by live hair and make-up sessions, Karla Haugen's jewelry gems and sculptures by Marc Clements all rounded out by a collection of pretty paintwork by Nick Minenko. You can certainly rely on the complimentary bevs and beats by DJ BookaB to keep the night bumpin’!

Here at l'étoile, we're not in the habit of hiding our obsession for all things “Auntie Mame,” or Rosalind Russell for that matter; and why should we? Why “life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!” is practically our full-fledged mantra. Illusion Theater hosts Minnesota Musical Theater's version of the award-winning comedy, combining everything we love about our zany fave – style, witty quips, unapologetic alcoholism – this time with a cross-dressing twist as MMT co-founder Kevin Hansen assumes the role of Mame. For those of you unfamiliar with the plot (and a 'tsk, tsk' to you!), the story follows ten-year-old Patrick who is sent to live with his wildly eccentric, stunningly stylish, epicurean aunt in the height of the rip-roaring 1920s. Conservativisms are shattered, free spirits are exposed and life will never be the same. In the words of Mame, “après moi, le déluge!” See you there!

If you missed stopping by the Buddha during the chaotic fray of Art-A-Whirl, be sure to put the closing reception for Science and Wonder on your itinerary for Friday night. The show features the grimly beautiful, oversized oil paintings of Caitlin Karolczak and the mind-boggling assemblages of Michael Thomsen which offer a dark and nostalgic reverie in a busy modern day world. Not to mention, any art party at the Rogue Buddha is typically awesome, so pop in for what we're calling "one of our favorite exhibits of the year thus far" and rub elbows with the scores of cool Twin Cities artists who will surely be in attendance.

The 331 on any given night is a blast, but those fun-time geniuses have put together what is sure to be a kick-ass '90s-themed dance jam. Stop down to the 331 for a ridiculously good time with DJ Tanner (ha!), Dr. Dallas Dog-Palace, and MC Hang Time. You know they'll be spinning the best tunes of your wonder years, and we're personally all jazzed up for some serious Boyz 2 Men action. Plus, prizes for best '90s outfit! Bust out your Cross Colors or maybe those hideous chunky platforms not even Savers will put on its floor and dance the night away!

Somewhere between composing music for major motion pictures, electronica-remixing the Fleet Foxes with his band Ruby Isle, creating a comic book companion guide to most recent his solo album (2009’s Invincible Criminal), developing his fuzzy alter-ego Mallwolf, and generally being Minneapolis’ most famous non-celebrity, Mark Mallman has time to grace the Twin Cities with the occasional DJ set – one of which you can catch tonight at Clubhouse Jager. Already have plans (but just can’t get enough of his bed-head)? Mallman will also be playing with Communist Daughter at the Nomad World Pub on Saturday. With a show like that, (likely) getting pummeled by England in round one of the World Cup is apt to sting just a little bit less.

You know you can't resist a good disco boogie! The delicious synth, the flamin' bass, audacious trumpet action – so hot! Luckily there's a dance night that indulges our flashier side – Street Sounds. Join the boys of Attitude City, DJ Mike 2600 and guest DJ Superbrush 427 for a night of 80's funk, classic dance and house tracks that will release the feverish dance beast in you! Afros encouraged, but not required.

We heart Lula Magazine. Every page filled with whimsical prettiness, delicious imagery, offbeat ideas and phantasmal editorial spreads. Much to our delight (tiny squeal), previews of their latest issue can be caught online, creating an almost uncomfortable collection of coolness. Mixing crave-able high fashion with intimate chats with stylists, photographers, artists, musicians and other vogue peeps, Lula is “This American Life” meets Nylon. Issue ten features a podcast with Strawberry Shortcake creator/artist, Muriel Fahrion – interviewed by the blithe Kirsten Dunst; a short film by the amazing NY-based photographer, Catherine Servel; and an enamoring film from Swedish fashion photographer Sandra Freij which just so happens to brilliantly use Linda Scott's darling '60s ditty “I've Told Every Little Star” – yes the same one from Mulholland Drive. Lula is definitely the girl of our dreams!

The cool cats at Art of This Gallery are all about enabling our creative community and Saturday's arts networking event is no exception. Join the AOT gallery staff along with nearly 50 artists-in-residence and peeps from mnartists.org, Midway Contemporary, Franklin Artworks, Soap Factory, Form+Content, 1419 and many more for a festive mix n' mingle. Chat about projects, form new collaborations, make some new like-minded pals, nosh on snacks, sip bevies and check out the current exhibition Scattered Light. The event kicks off AOT's Open Summer Residency Project and all proceeds from the event will benefit the project's programming. Don't forget to bring your business card!

Where is your hiding place? We’ve found a good one this weekend! This Saturday, join talented local ladies Alison Lindburg and Mai C. Vang as they bring you into a dream world of their own secret hiding spots. After 18 months of hard collab, the two are displaying their unique art for the world to see, all exploring the idea of hiding places. Let’s just say Lindburg’s abstract art mixed with Vang’s narrative pieces will def. bring you to a fantasy world! Dress up in artsy-chic attire and stop by their new (and hidden) gallery space in the Loring Corners building for a reception that includes art, refreshments and classical music. The Hidden Place exhibit will be open for visitors through June 14th.

A grip of Twin Cities creatives have banded together to conjure up a vivid multimedia experience that you won’t want to miss! Presented by Cliche and l'etoile magazine (that's us!), this fab fashion phantasm is produced by what we've discovered is an unstoppable team: fashionista/stylist/producer Angie Hanson, Anthem Heart mainman Ken Hannigan, and SCENEaSOTA producer (and designer) Maritza Ramirez. Head to the Grain Belt studios Saturday night to feast your eyes on the latest collections by Maritza herself and the whimsical Mackenzie Labine of Oishiimomo. The night begins with a sunset reception featuring tunes by l'étoile's own Juleana Enright a.k.a. DJ ana/log, colorful disco-inspired refreshments and festive mingling. Throughout the night your mind (and eyes) will be blown by video art a la The Lovemelts and artist Jesse Draxler in collaboration with Anthem Heart, who together will create an unforgettable mash-up of glorious visuals to set the mood. The night only gets better when Ramirez and Labine's designs hit the runway around 10:30pm, enhanced by sultry italo disco sounds courtesy of the Nightstalker with vocalists Camille Bourgerie and Alina Lindquist, plus an interlude performance from electro duo The Night. Tickets are available at the door or at Cliche Boutique.

AFTER PARTY BONUS: Post-show, head to the Chambers Hotel for a free after party with Bach 666, Sweet Talk Radio, Upgrayde and more. This party is being held in the Chambers' "basement" -- a place we've never been privy to -- so be sure to check it out!

Bluesy, folksy, and tinged with jazz, the sounds of Tenessee-raised, Minneapolis-based Chastity Brown are as far reaching as they are mesmerizing. In the past nine months alone, Brown and her acoustic guitar have shared the stage with international singer-songwriters Angelique Kidjo and Pamela Means, but tonight Brown and her bandmates are celebrating the release of their latest album, High Noon Teeth, homeside at the Cedar Cultural Center. Praised for their poignant storytelling and gritty gospel stylings, Brown and company are sure to put some heart and soul into your Saturday night. The show will also feature the wispy, bittersweet tunes of husband-and-wife duo Romi di Luna and an acoustic set by the bold and buzzworthy No Bird Sing.

Twin Citizens, get ready to (indie) rock and roll! Tonight, four local powerhouses from this genre will be taking the stage at Sauce, headlining with the edgy, early Yeah Yeah Yeahs-esque dissonance of Kill to Kill, led by the sultry-voiced Sylvia Izabella. Also on the roster is the Brit-pop inspired Blue Sky Blackout, whose soaring stadium rock sounds just might ease the pain of U2 postponing their tour stop in Minneapolis. Maybe. Dragons Power Up! is a cutely-named trio known for catchy pop sensibilities caught somewhere between 90s indie rock and emo, and joining all three is St. Paul-based Puppies and Trains.

Just in time for summer, here comes Janelle Monae - a ragingly talented five foot tall pompador wearing, singing, dancing, and art-making machine. Sci-fi nerds rejoice: her ridiculously ambitious new album The ArchAndroid is spilling over with references to futuristic figureheads such as Philip K. Dick and the 1927 Fritz Lang film Metropolis, and synthesizes a wealth of influences, from Afro-futurism, glam rock reminiscent of Bowie, chamber orchestra, bebop jazz, R&B, and slickster-hip hop a la Flying Lotus. If that sounds like an exhaustive list, imagine what it sounds like live. Be on the lookout for a local date this fall!

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